Jessica Is Playing Soccer Now!

Talk about Memory Lane. Yesterday I went over to Reserve Street to watch 9 yr old Jessie's 2nd soccer game. She played the first half in goal and then came out in the number 5 shirt after half time.

I can remember watching my Dad play 'football' in Morecambe, I played for 3 yrs in the early seventies for Kwinana United Women's Team, Paul and Gordie played as kids in Rockingham and now Jessie is playing. They got hammered but didn't seem to mind too much...time will tell. It's an Under-11 league and they travel all over Perth to their games.

Gordie, Livvie and Gypsy look on.

A Trip To Korea

Dad was still only 16yrs of age when the Korean War began on June 25th 1950. It was still raging after he'd turned 18yrs and as such he was eligible to be drafted to serve in the British Armed Forces. Call-up came the following year and he spent his 19th birthday on the ship sailing to the Far East. Dad survived this awful time and came home a much older man, both in years and outlook.
Last year he became aware of an offer by the Seoul Government for ex-servicemen and women to attend Memorial Services in South Korea as a gesture to thank them for their time there. Each former service person can take their spouse or friend/child and the relatives of people who lost their lives in the war are invited too. The Seoul Govt pays about 50% of the air fares and covers the cost of the 6 night stay(5 star hotel, no less) as well as transport around the country to various important sites. This is the organisation to approach if you are interested in taking up this offer http://www.bkva.co.uk/membership.htm

 There were over 200 people in Dad and Mum's group from the UK, USA, Canada, Australia and New Zealand and they were treated like royalty. Most were humbled by the high value placed on their service by the charming people of South Korea who are now prospering as opposed to the troubles in North Korea under the communist regime.

Here we have a taste of Mum's photographs, Dad looking very chipper and dignified(he isn't always lol)

Highlights were a 7 course dinner at the British Embassy, travelling on the this train to Busan in the south of the beautiful country to attend the ANZAC Dawn Service(Mum said "It was pouring, the water and mud were up to my ankles, it must have been like being in the trenches!(She travelled home in her slippers as she couldn;t get her shoes dry!!), the wonderful care given to them by the young students who accompanied them on trips and took such pleasure in their task, the waving crowds as the buses went through busy towns with their Korean War Veterans banners on the sides and just the genuine gratitude expressed by every single Korean they met during the week.

Here is a link to an article written by the UK correspondent who travelled with the Veterans...her story begins 12 minutes into the recording, it is very moving and very accurately tells the story of the trip to Busan....

http://www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer/episode/b01jwd5w/From_Our_Own_Correspondent_16_06_2012/ 

Thank you for coming here to read my blog, as stated my main aim is to preserve our family's stories for my grandchildren.
Have a wonderful week,
Love from Sue
xxx

Added April 24th 2020
I found this on Wikipedia, it's their account of the King's Regiment(Liverpool) in Korea

"The battalion was ordered to Korea in June 1952. By then, the Korean War had entered a period of stalemate, with trench warfare prevailing.^[163] At Liverpool, the King's embarked aboard the troopship Devonshire for Hong Kong, where it underwent training before landing at Pusan, Korea, in September. Replacing the 1st Royal Norfolk Regiment in the 29th Infantry Brigade, 1st Commonwealth Division,^[164] the 1st King's took up defensive positions on moving to the frontline, about 45 miles (72 km) from Seoul.^[165]

While much of the battalion's time at the front proved uneventful, its night patrols often clashed with Chinese troops.^[165] In 1953, the battalion withdrew to reserve for three months. A tactically important feature known as "The Hook", a crescent shaped ridge, was the scene of intense fighting between Commonwealth forces and the Chinese in May. On the night of 20 May, Chinese forces commenced a sustained bombardment of the Hook, defended by the Duke of Wellington's Regiment. Two days later, a company from the King's conducted a nighttime diversionary raid on Chinese positions known as "Pheasant". During the raid, Second-Lieutenant Caws' 5 Platoon, intended to execute the actual attack, inadvertently stumbled upon an uncharted minefield, suffering 10 wounded from a strength of 16.^[166] The attack had to be abandoned, forcing the company to withdraw with its wounded back to British lines under the protection of artillery.^[167]

A Kingsman cleaning his .30 cal Browning machine gun in a trench, 2 December 1952.

The King's moved to the right sector of the Hook on 27 May, excepting "D" Company's 10 Platoon and "B" Company (as reserve), which became attached to the Dukes. At 1953 hours, on 28 May, the battle began when a heavy artillery barrage targeted the Dukes' positions.^[166] Within minutes, the first of four successive Chinese waves attacked. Two King's platoons had to be moved forward to reinforce the Point 121 position, which soon after came under attack by two infantry companies. After the attack was repulsed with the assistance of Commonwealth artillery, the Chinese directed their attention to the King's on Point 146. As their troops assembled at Pheasant at around 2305, 1st King's Lieutenant-Colonel A.J. Snodgrass called in artillery, Centurion tank, and machine-gun fire that effectively destroyed the battalion-sized formation.^[168] Fighting continued until the British cleared the remaining troops from the Hook at approximately 0330. British casualties numbered 149, including 28 killed, while Chinese losses were estimated to be 250 killed and 800 wounded.^[169]

The 1st King's left Korea for Hong Kong in October, by which time the battalion had suffered 28 dead and 200 wounded. Of some 1,500 men that served with the King's in Korea, 350 were regular soldiers, the rest being conscripts on national service.^[166] The King's moved to Britain in 1955, were posted to West Germany the following year, and made its final return home in May 1958.^[146]

Estimated Time of Arrival

In the olden days, when I was a teenager(19yrs old to be precise) and we were expecting Auntie Jessie'sflight from from London I was sent up the road to Blay Place with a 10cent piece to phone Perth Airport and listen to the pre-recorded message telling me that the flight was on time. Then the four of us piled into our Volkswagon sedan and headed off for an hour's drive to the airport. It was much like this one without the red bits!



At that time both International and Domestic flights used what is now the Domestic Terminal, we have a posh new International Airport too now. In front of the old terminal was an Australian mini zoo where new arrivals could admire several tame kangaroos and black swans.
This pic was taken around 1970 and you can see how open and pleasant the airport was in those days...you could wander around unchallenged and enjoy watching the runways from an open air balcony!



Now this morning I have 2 VIP's flying home from Korea via Sydney and I will simply check on-line to see if their flight is on-time before driving up to collect them. Mum and Dad have been all the way to Seoul this last week to commemorate ANZAC Day with other members of British and Australian Armed Forces....Dad is a Korean War Veteran and the South Korean Govt has paid for their accommodation, meals and tours this week as well as half the cost of their flights as a thank you to Dad for his service there in the early 1950s Hopefully I'll have lots of photos to share tomorrow. Here is Dad on leave in Tokyo around 1953, bottom right...

And on ANZAC Day 2010 ready to go in the march at Pace Road,

2011, second from right at the Memorial in Pace Rd...this was when he first heard of the Korean Govt's generous offer..

His blazer ready with the new badge, a beret, tie and various other badges came from Uncle Alan in Lancaster...they were taken to him by 2 of Dad's former Mates in the King's Regiment(Liverpool).

Can't wait to see them, they've been much missed and I'm excited to hear of their trip.

Bye bye for now,
Love from Sue
xxx

Vegetable Pasties

Lest We Forget. Today is ANZAC Day in Australia and New Zealand and we remember all those who gave their lives and possibly their physical and or mental health in defence of our countries.


This recipe is for me as much as you, too often I make a really nice dinner and then forget about it or what was in it so I shall strike while the iron is hot and get this recipe down.

Last week Rhonda challenged us to eat 50% less meat for a month and there have been some lovely recipes posted at the forum. I've adapted Madge's recipe for Vegetable Pasties and made my own wholemeal pastry(flour, butter and salt...what could be simpler?) I made the filling in the morning as it really must be cold when you wrap it in the pastry.

You 'll need
400 grams of potato
2 carrots
200 grams of cauliflower or broccoli

Wash the potatoes and carrots, chop coarsely and put them on to steam or boil.
Add the broccoli/cauli after about 10-15 minutes.
Drain and mash together and set aside while you do the next step.

onion
celery
tomato
mushroom
herbs
curry powder
frozen peas/corn
salt and pepper

Heat a tablespoon of oil and lightly fry a finely chopped onion, a little garlic and two thinly sliced sticks of celery. Stir in 2 chopped tomatoes, 2-3 chopped mushrooms and then (at least) 3 teaspoons of curry powder(I also added some tabasco sauce), keep stirring until the tomato is quite soft and the curry powder is cooked(5 mins?) Stir in half a cup of frozen peas or corn and a handful of chopped herbs(chives were good) and season really well.

Mix this thoroughly into the mashed potato and then leave it to cool completely.

Make pastry....I use my food processor these days and leave it to rest in a plastic bag for about 30 minutes.

400gms wholemeal plain flour
200gms butter
3/4 teaspoon of salt
cold water

Roll out the pastry next...I tore off lumps measuring about 2 inches across, rolled them into circles and then into flat discs...this way I didn't have to cut out the circles and re-roll the pastry which makes it go very hard. Place 2 tablespoons of filling onto one half of the circle and fold it over, pressing the edges together and brush with a beaten egg(or just milk for thrift).
Bake at 200C for about 30 minutes until the pastry is golden brown. I made 7 big(shop-size) pasties from this recipe and saved a fortune, they are sooo very delicious and we know exactly what is in them. What do you think of these?

You could always use frozen shortcrust pastry but then you won't be quite sure of what sort of fats and additives you're consuming, pastry-making really is a wonderful skill to have.

It's a public holiday here today for Anzac Day so we'll have a quiet day at home, do you have any plans? Have you attended a Dawn Service or March in your home town?
Take care,
Love from Sue
xx

ANZAC Day in Korea

The story below is of a Korean War veteran who returned to Korea last year in April to commemorate his part in the war of the early 1950s.This link explains Australia's involvement in the conflict

 http://korean-war.commemoration.gov.au/cold-war-crisis-in-korea/

JOHN Laughton is set for a trip of a lifetime, a trip for remembrance.

A Navy man for 12 years, he will join more than 200 United Nations servicemen in South Korea to commemorate the 60th anniversary of the Battle of Kapyong.

The battle is regarded as one of Australia’s key military engagements during the Korean War.

“It’s going to be an extremely emotional trip,” the Dandenong Cranbourne RSL vice-president said. “It’s always been an ambition of mine to get back there and it’s not too many times you get an opportunity like this.”

As a guest of the South Korean government he will attend a dawn service in Seoul as well as visit the north-south demarcation line and a war cemetery in the southern coastal city of Busan.

Despite visiting more than 60 countries, including China and Japan, Mr Laughton hasn’t been back to South Korea since 1954.

He served on the aircraft carrier Sydney III after the Korean War ceasefire and later on the Gladstone, Bataan and Swan.

Mr Laughton has been pivotal in organising Anzac Day services at the Pillars of Freedom for the past 22 years. “My dedication to the RSL is part of my desire to make sure we remember the fallen comrades,” he said.

Prime Minister Julia Gillard will lead the commemoration in Seoul as part of an eight-day tour that includes Japan and China.

My Bokashi Bin

As often happens when Deb says, "shall we just drive to so and so and straight back?" we ended going on a lovely jaunt. Firstly we collected Deb's car from Nedlands where it had had a full service. Deb drove slowly through the surrounding streets so that we could admire the beautiful old houses and gardens in the area, I saw rainbow lorikeets in a tall palm tree and such huge bougainvillea plants that they seemed like solid walls of colour.

Then Deb says "shall we drive home through Fremantle?" and it's "oh yes please" from me! As we got to Cottesloe I ask if she's been to the Boatshed Markets which is my idea of paradise in a shop. We entered through the adjoining fish mongers where a nice young Scotsman was frying snapper fillets in coconut breadcrumbs for shoppers to sample. "They'll be ready in 5minutes" he assured us so we admired the huge range of fish, shellfish and condiments and then went downstairs to the French Bakery. They had at least 30 different types of bread, unctuous cakes/gateaux, pies and genuine macaroons. Next we drifted past the deli counter and admired such works of art as a Moroccan Chickpea Salad and 4inch high slabs of lasagne. On to the cheeses next $100 a kilo for imported cheese was a bit much so we walked around the beautiful fresh fruit and vegies section....the variety here is remarkable and it's all so very fresh. So we went back to the fishmonger's to see if the snapper was ready and it had all been eaten already lol We waited patiently for the next batch and dunked our generous serves into a pot of delicious aioli, it was perfect.

Back in the car Deb says, "shall we see if the Planet Ark store is open this time?" So she drives into Freo and we park right at the door and wander in...I was looking for a safe paint or varnish for Twitch's cabin in January but the owners were away in India at a retreat. Now that Twitch lives indoors I don't need the paint but it was very interesting to look around the shop and chat to David, the owner. Deb was especially looking for a filter to put on the outside of house to filter all the water coming in. Then she spotted the great lighting systems and LED globes and spent the next 30 minutes asking questions about them!!

In the meantime I'd been looking at the Bokashi composting units for indoors and I still had some money from 2 Christmases ago so I bought one. Narelle has blogged about how to make one from two plastic bins and a tap etc but it was really beyond me so I am happy to have bitten the bullet and bought one at last. Narelle also shows how to make the material that breaks everything down. The beauty of this system is that it takes all kitchen scraps, even meat/citrus etc that you wouldn't add to a compost pile and you get the rich "tea" or liquid compost on tap with very little fuss. Each evening I press the waste down firmly, it's sitting on a colander type basket, and apply 1/3 of a cup of the bokashi powder. The lid is very firm so there is no smell and cockroaches etc can't get into it~~teabags, coffee grinds, banana peels and strawberry hulls are visible in this pic..

The unit hold 20 litres of waste and the juice comes from the tap you can see here

It takes a week for there to be enough 'tea' ready and you dilute it 1-1 with water and apply to plants.

I'm excited!
Love from Sue
xx

That Boy Rabbit Again!

Not much to say, something big is going on for my parents but I can't talk about for another week!

Twitch is not pleased by all the rain of late, he flicks his front paws when they get wet lol Yesterday afternoon he jumped up on each of the out door chairs and then onto the table for a better view of the world!

Hope your weekend is relaxing

Love from Sue

xx

Some Vintage Dresses

I am a real hoarder, especially of things from my childhood days. Presenting today 5 dresses worn by Mum or I dating back to the mid 50s.

Firstly we have the little dress that both Ian and I wore to our christenings when we were about 6 weeks old, mine was in January 1957...

Next in age is this lovely cocktail dress that Mum bought when she about 23yrs of age(1960) It is very small and has a long zip up the back.

This one dates back to the mid 60s and probably came from Mum's catalogue...we all had a big thick catalogue in those days to mail order almost everything..http://www.freemans.com/ It was as big as phone directory and filled with colourful, glossy pages of all manner of things, generally cheaper than shop prices. Mum also earned a little money(credit?) as an agent.

This next is an handmade 1967 Kipper Tie dress made by my best friend's Mum, the wonderful Marj Scargill who lived 4 doors down. My mum brought the fabric home from work one night and Mrs Scargill made Gillian and I a dress each...they have long zips up the back too. I had/have black patent shoes from then and we wore long white socks with them. Here are some more swinging sixties dresses
http://www.atomretro.com/category.cfm?category_id=199

Last of all this pink floral sweetie was bought in Boans when they were still on Pace Rd in Medina...I was 12-13 yrs old when I wore this...

Just a bit of fun for my daughters and grandaughters, hope you enjoyed too...do they bring back memories?

Love from Sue

Happy Birthday, Rhonda Jean Hetzel!

Sending my very best wishes for a Happy Birthday to dear Rhonda of the Down To Earth blog and forums who has become a dear friend over the last 2 1/2 years and never fails to encourage and share her wisdom in a gentle, undemanding manner.

Amongst many other things Rhonda says, "I am a complex bundle of madness when I put my mind to it and sometimes what is perceived on the outside as a stable and dependable older woman is in fact the equivalent of a box full of monkeys being let loose in the jungle for the first time." She has a wonderful sense of humour.

If you haven't read Rhonda's blog yet here is the link and you may learn many ways to save money but most importantly learn to enjoy being in your home, doing it your way at your own pace. If you click on the link to the forum you can come along and join (for free) an international group of like-minded people enjoying cooking from scratch, non-consumerism, gardening, soap-making and green cleaning, thrifty and crafty pursuits as well as a great group of warm and very friendly people. 

Hope you enjoy your day Rhonda from the bottom of my heart.

xxx

Simple Knitted Slippers from the 1940s

I really like these simple little slippers I found at this link  They are very frugal to make and great stash busters too. This pair was a trial run and I made each one in a couple of hours. Here are my modifications and explanations to make this woman's size pair which weighed 73gms when completed.

You'll need about 40gms each of TWO 8ply/DK yarns...either the same colour for a plain pair or by using 2 different but compatible yarns you get the mottled look you see above.

a pair of 6mm knitting needles and a tapestry needle for sewing them up.

Cast on 29 sts using 2 strands of yarn together 

1) K9, P1, K9, P1, K9

2) Knit to end

Work these 40 rows of this pattern.

Work 10rows of rib starting with a P1, K1 row

Decrease for your tootsies by

1) Rib 7, sl 1, k1, psso, k1, k2tog, rib 5, sl 1, k1, psso, k1, k2tog, rib 7

2) rib 7, P3, rib5, P3, rib7

3) rib 6, k2tog, k1, s1, k1, psso, rib 3,k2tog, k1, s1, k1, psso, 

That's it!!! Snip the yarns about 30cms from your last stitch, thread your tapestry needle and pull the yarn through the last 21 stitches twice, sew up the top with the same yarns and fasten off securely. Sew up the heel, turn it right-side out and start again!!

Here you can see the rib made by purling that one stitch on the odd numbered rows, it forms corners that help the sides stand up nicely. This is the 'right' side or even numbered side.

The last 21sts have the yarns drawn through them and you pull it tightly and sew the top of the slipper

Stitch up the heel and turn it  right side out and make another one!!

I've started a man-sized pair and will post pics here once they're ready.

No pics as yet but here are the modifications for the Big Foot in your life...

Cast on 35sts

Work 48 rows of pattern above

Work 10 rows of rib starting with a P1, K1 row.

decrease as follows

1) rib9, sl 1, k1, psso, k1, k2 tog, rib 7, sl 1, k1, psso, k1, k2 tog

2) rib 9, P3, rib7, P3, rib 9

3) rib 8, k2tog, k1, s1, k1, psso, rib 5, k2tog, k1, s1, k1, psso, 

That's it! So quick, easy and cosy too.

I lerve footy season almost as much as cricket season...lots of TV hours in which to knit lol

Today I rediscovered 4 of my dresses from the late 60's including the Kipper Tie Dress made by Mrs Scargill, I've washed them all and will try a gentle iron tomorrow and take some photos. I also have a dress of Mum's that dates back to the late 50's so I'll show you that too. My little christening dress is here...yep, I'm a hoarder!!!

Hope your weekend is relaxed and enjoyable,

Love from Sue

xxx

Ducks, For Cooking

1. I need some help as this is new ingredient for me.
   
   I've been given 2 skinned domestic ducks weighing about 2kilos each. Yesterday I jointed one and we shared one breast shallow fried for dinner yesterday. It took longer to cook than I thought it would but was very good, I reduced wine and stock in the pan juices and added a teaspoon of my Hot Plum Sauce as well as a chopped plum.
   
   Today I'm going to braise celery, onions, carrots and garlic and then slow cook the thighs/legs and the carcass in stock in the crockpot. Will also add a tablespoon each of tomato paste and honey mustard, 2 bay leaves and some thyme sprigs.
   
   As our friend had skinned rather than plucked them he feels they are not suitable for roasting but I could cover them in foil.
   
   Do you have any tips and suggestions, it's such a wonderful gift...when our friend said 2 young ducks I was expecting a couple of sparrows lol
   
   Pics, 1 jointed duck, teaspoon for scale, 1 breast pan frying, the 2 whole ducks filled my whole draining board...

 EDA a pic of the lovely duck casserole, I took all the meat off the bone before serving and there was even enough to make a French style bean dish with sausages, chili and tinned tomatoes the following day!

This was just a quick post today to record my "progress", many thanks to Steve for this generous gift, greatly appreciated.

Have a wonderful Wednesday every-one,
Love from Sue
xx